Tasting notes:

A perennial favourite among the Masters judges, Castelnau is always one of the top-performing brut NV Champagnes, and despite going up in price, still offers good relative value. Benefitting from a long time spent ageing on its lees, there’s a lovely, nutty richness to this cuvée, with notes of hazelnut and marzipan, even creamy coffee, allied to fruit flavours, ranging from ripe apple to citrus zest. Indeed, the finish is bright and cleansing, with a mix of chalk dust and bitter lemon. Really a benchmark sub-£40 brut NV. (Patrick Schmitt MW)